CLIVE Palmer says he was too busy to apologise for calling the Chinese “mongrels” any sooner because he was worried about the fate of the country.

The Palmer United Party leader has defended the eight days it took him to say sorry for labelling the Chinese government “b------s”, who he said shoot their own people.

“I just reflected on the actual language I used and I thought that was offensive to individuals and you need to not be frightened to look at things objectively,” he said on his way into meeting with his fellow Senators this morning.

When asked why it took him so long, Mr Palmer said he was “considering the co-payment” and a pile of submissions.

“I’ve been worried about the fate of the country.

“I’ve got to put all those peoples priorities ahead of my own.”

PUP Senate leader Glenn Lazarus said Mr Palmer asked them what he should do during a sit down on the weekend.

“Clive was very keen to get our thoughts on the whole situation and we all agreed that was probably the right thing to do,” he said this morning.

“I didn’t tell him directly but I certainly encouraged it.”

Senator Lazarus also said he would back Senator Jacqui Lambie if she decided to apologise for her warning about the threat of a Chinese communist invasion.

Not backing down ... Palmer United Party Senator Jacqui Lambie refused to apologise, but did praise the “bravery” and “courage” of the Chinese people.Source:News Corp Australia

“I would go along with it if Jacqui felt as though she had to,” he claimed.

“We certainly can’t take for granted our freedoms and security here.”

But he did argue he wasn’t “quite sure whether we should be pointing missiles at people”.

Senator Lambie had argued Australia needed to look at missiles and a missile defence system.

This morning she refused to apologise, but did praise the “bravery” and “courage” of the Chinese people.

“I’m not backing down,” Senator Lambie told ABC radio.

“I don’t see why I would offer an apology when I’m actually speaking about the Chinese communist regime and not the Chinese people.”

Mr Palmer said its a matter for Senator Lambie if she wants to apologise.

The PUP leader yesterday sent a letter to the Chinese ambassador to Australia, offering a “sincere” apology for his “insult” on ABC’s Q& last Monday night.